pegasus astro - focuscubepegasus focuscube has been developed to meet these requirements. designed...

PEGASUS ASTRO - FOCUSCUBE | v1.1

1

FocusCube

Operating Manual

v1.1

Dear valued customer, ccongratulations and thank you for buying Pegasus Astro - FocusCube. This manual will give you a brief

introduction to your FocusCube. Before using the FocusCube, please take some time to read it thoroughly and if you have any

other questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]

The evolution of technology in astronomy requires a system which will assist the focusing of the telescope with great accuracy.

Fast optics and modern camera devices require automatic focusing in every small period of time as temperature can affect focal

length and modify the optimal focus position. Pegasus FocusCube has been developed to meet these requirements.

Designed in high quality with modern electronics it can provide digital precise focus control from a PC. FocusCube includes a

stepper motor for absolute position focusing. Electronics and stepper motor are enclosed in a compact sized box.

Controller Design Overview

Top / 3D View


2

What is in the box

Name Quantity

FocusCube Controller 1

DC Cable (2.1m) to Cigarette Lighter (3A fused) 1

USB2 Cable Type B (1.8 meters) 1

Temperature Sensor 1

Blue Anodized Bracket (Universal L shaped or SCT model)

* SCT Model includes 2 pulleys

1

Different sizes of bolts and spacers 5 pairs

Motor Couplers (different sizes) 6

Optional Accessories: • Hand Controller

Controller Care

• Controller is not waterproof and it should be kept clean and dry. Moisture can damage electronics and connectors.

• Do not allow solvents or chemicals to come into contact with the device

• Store controller indoor in a dry room when not in use

• Do not touch the internal components as they may get hot when in use

Stepper Motor FocusCube has an embedded high resolution geared stepper motor (Step Angle (Deg) 7.5 / 120 (Gearbox reduction rate =

0.06255 Deg per step). Its gearbox has low backlash and high torque suitable to focus in micron scale.

DO NOT TRY TO MOVE THE MOTOR MANUALLY WITHOUT POWER. MOTOR ACTS A BREAK AND TRYING TO ROTATE

SHAFT OF MOTOR MANUALLY MIGHT CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE METAL GEARS OF THE MOTOR. USE ONLY THE HAND

CONTROLLER.

Power Supply

Unit has been designed with reverse polarity protection. If you accidentally reverse the DC power source polarity the unit will cut

the power.

The controller is fitted with a standard 2.1mm center positive DC power connection which powers on the controller. It can accept

DC 11-15V. Please use a power supply that can provide DC 12V-13.8V / 1.5A (at least).

Insert the 2.1mm plug on the DC power cable. Controller will initialize (led will fast blink 4 times) and the green led with turn on

after 4 seconds.


3

Temperature Sensor Socket

The probe is an external temperature measurement device which is attached to the controller. It comes with length of 1m cable.

Probe measures temperatures from -55°C to +125°C.

Accuracy of the probe is ±0.5°C from -10°C to +85°C. The controller detects the presence of the probe and requests temperature

readings at 30 sec intervals. When using multiple controllers and probes, the reported temperature may differ slightly between

units due to small differences between individual sensor readouts.

This does not affect the operation of the units, as they respond to measured temperature change, not to the actual temperature.

Please notice that you have to connect the sensor before you power on the controller. If you connect it later you

will have to wait for 30 sec for probe recalibration.

Auxiliary Connector

The controller is fitted with a RJ45 Female Jack for auxiliary usage. In this socket you can only

connect the optional Hand Controller.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

DO NOT CONECT ANY MOTOR OUTPUT OF AN EXTERNAL CONTROLLER SUCH AS ULTIMATE POWERBOX

OR DUAL MOTOR FOCUS INTO THE RJ45 PORT. THIS WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE DEVICE!


4

Status Led

Two LED indicators are fitted right and left of the RJ45 socket. The light displayed by the led indicates the status of the device.

Permanently Green Light Controller is operational

Permanently Red Light ON Motor is moving

Red Light Off Motor is not moving

USB Connection

Unit has been designed with a USB type B connector. Plug one end into a spare USB 2.0 port on the computer or USB Hub, the

other end into the USB type B receptacle on the controller labelled USB.

Controller will be identified as “FocusCube revX” and a serial port will be appeared to the operating system.

Hand Controller - Rotary Encoder Knob

On the top of controller there is an infinite rotary knob. This digital encoder knob lets you do all operations. Encoder has a

pushbutton for selection. Rotate the knob to modify a value and push the knob to select another item.

Operating Instructions:

• Plug the temperature sensor to the RJ45 socket.

• Plug the supplied USB type B cable to the device.

• Plug DC 12V/1-2Amps power cable into the DC 2.1mm socket.

• Device will boot after three seconds and the green indication LED will blink three times. This means that firmware was

loaded successfully and the “FocusCube” is now fully operational.

• Download USB drivers, standalone software or ASCOM drivers from pegasusastro.com/support in order to connect to the

device.

Warranty

We provide 1-year warranty for our products. We will offer the repair service for free or replace the item for free if the unit does

not work properly within the warranty period. After the warranty period, we will continue to provide repair support and service

on a charged basis. This warranty does not apply to damage that occurred because of abuse or misuse, or damage caused by a

fall, or any other accidental failures after purchase. The customer must pay for shipping when shipping the camera back for

repair or replacement. If you get a faulty unit, please contact us as soon as possible through email: [email protected].

http://pegasusastro.com/support


5

Please describe the problem in detail, and we will do our best to solve the problem. Most instances are perceived problems

which are caused by a bad driver install or software configuration.

Technical Specifications

Supply Voltage DC 12V – 13.8V Motor Compatibility Stepper Motor is inside the enclosure

Motor Output None (Stepper Motor is in the enclosure)

Motor Specification High resolution geared stepper motor (Step Angle (Deg) 7.5 / 120 (Gearbox reduction rate = 0.06255 Deg). Its gearbox has low backlash and high torque suitable to focus in micron scale

USB Connectivity USB 2.0 Type B plug Thermal Sensor Resolution 9-bit Celsius temperature measurements – External Sensor with RJ45 plug

Power Input Connector 2.1mm Centre Positive Socket

Dimensions 55mm x 55mm x 35 mm


6 Troubleshooting guide

Problem Cause Cure Controller LED is off Power supply is not connected Connect Power and wait for a solid green

light

Stepper motor does not move Check if mode is in “stepper motor” setting Set mode to “stepper motor” setting and retry

Stepper motor makes strange noises or step gaps when accelerates

You have specified a “max speed” larger than motor can support

Go to “Settings” and limit the max speed (try between 200-400). Every stepper motor has a maximum speed or else it will jump and loose steps. Pegasus Astro Stepper Motor support max speed up to 400.

Sensor does not report temperature Check that sensor is in place Check connectivity of the sensor. Recycle power and retry or wait for 1 minute for sensor recalibration.

Controller randomly loses USB connectivity Check that your USB cable does not exceed 5m length.

Use a shorter cable or a powered USB hub. The USB 2.0 specification limits the length of a cable between USB 2.0 devices (Full Speed or Hi-Speed) to 5 meters.


7 Software installation Latest software and drivers release can be found at Pegasus Support site: http://pegasusastro.com/support Please download and install the following:

• ASCOM6 Driver for DMFC

• Standalone DMFC Application

• USB Drivers for DMFC



8 Standalone DMFC Application

Standalone application does not require ASCOM drivers and it can configure / operate the FocusCube controller.

In order to connect from the supplied software to the controller, you need to first configure the serial port

• Click on “Settings” icon

The following window appears

• Click “Device”. A drop-down list of discovered DMFC controller will appear. Choose the “FocusCube” and click “OK”


9

• Press “Connect” button

• Application will connect to the controller and the “Connected” status will appear on the bottom taskbar.

Led status You can operate the led indicator on the top of controller on demand. Click the circle “LED” icon and switch on or off the LED of

the controller.

Motor Settings – Max Speed All stepper motors have limits of the max speed they can achieve. If you set “max speed” faster than your motor can support, it

will probably jump / loose steps and make weird noises as it cannot keep up with the controller’s designated steps.

How to connect max speed:

• Connect to the controller

• Go to settings and check “Motor Settings”

• Set steppers motor “Max Speed” and click “Set”. Setting will be stored to controller’s memory (EEPROM)

• Power cycle controller to verify new setting and apply max step speed.

WE STRONGLY SUGGEST TO LEAVE THE MAX SPEED TO DEFAULT SETTINGS AS IT IS OPTIMIZED FOR THE PEGASUS MOTOR

Motor Settings - New Position If you need to change the current position of the controller, you can do it through this option.

• Type new position and press “Set” Button

• Controller will instantly set new position the value you specified.

Notice that controller will not move motor. Controller will only change value of reported current position

This feature is very useful when you need to zero the position of the focuser or set another value.

You can also zero the position of the focuser by clicking the “000” button in the top taskbar of the application.


10 Custom Rates You can easily set and save custom names and step / pulse values in the following section of “Setup” page.

Click “OK” and your rate settings will appear in the main window of the application.

Control Motor From these buttons you will control the steps of the stepper motor or pulses from the DC motor.

• Set the “Step” to the value you want (bigger the step / pulse count, larger the movement of the motor shaft)

You can also quick select the predefined values you specified in “Custom Rates”

• Click once the “step number” button. This is how many steps the motor will move forward (+ steps) or backwards (-

steps).

Notice that “Position” indicator will change its value and will confirm your command

There are two more buttons (<<< & >>>) that will forward / reverse accelerate the motor. Keep mouse down and the motor will

start accelerating to the director you clicked.

Use these buttons only if you need to quickly move in or out your focuser (be careful not to exceed focuser limits!)


11

In every motor movement, final position (when motor stops) is saved after 10 secs into controller’s EEPROM memory. This

will ensure that next time you power on the controller, last saved position will be retrieved from its memory.

Current Motor Position Controller continuously (every 500 milisec) reports motor / focuser position. Reading can be found in the following image:

Set A New Motor Position You can easily specify a new motor position. Set the value and click “GO” button.

Motor will start moving to the new position you defined.

Emergency Motor Stop Click the “STOP” yellow button and the motor will instantly stop. This can save you if you specified a wrong position and the

focuser is quickly extended reaching its limits.

Temperature of sensor Existing environmental temperature of the sensor can be seen in the following reading.

Click the graph icon and a graph which displays temperature over time will appear

You can easily check when was the last focus temperature so you can know exactly if it is time to refocus.


12 Reverse Direction In case you need to invert the motor in anti-clockwise rotation you can click the “Reverse Direction” option from settings. This

option can be useful if you use gears to transmit motor’s movement to your focuser.

An anti-clockwise icon will appear on the status window of the main application pointing that you have selected this option.

Maximum Position You have the option to specify the maximum steps of the motor. This will enforce the controller to disallow a motor move to the

direction you are about to exceed this limit. This is a useful option to prevent the focuser to fully move in or out.

Move to settings and type the numeric limit in the “Max Position” section you need to enforce. Click the “On” check button

When you try to exceed this limit the controller will deny to increase steps and it will notify you that the limit was about to

exceed.


13 Backlash Compensation

Backlash, sometimes called lash or play, is clearance or lost motion in a mechanism caused by gaps between the parts. Motor’s

gearbox or other components in the focuser can have an amount of backlash.

Compensation will be invoked when the move in opposite of the compensation direction. Just make sure the amount specified is

more than needed to remove the backlash.

To enable backlash compensation, choose the extra steps you need to calculated in compensation and enable the feature by

clicking ON.

Setting is stored in the EEPROM and calculates the backlash steps by using PC or Manual Knob

An indication on the main status bar will notify you that the backlash compensation functionality is enabled.

Knob Encoder Disabled If you want to disable knob on the side of the controller

• Press the knob for two (2) seconds.

• You can also disable it from the settings of the standalone software.

Led indicator will turn to orange and the software will report the disabled status of the knob.

A red knob will appear on the status bar or the software (check following image)

Press the knob one more time to enable the encoder functionality

Firmware and Software Version

Connect to controller and click the “informational” button on the taskbar of the main application.


14

In this window you can verify the firmware version of the controller including the version of the standalone application. Keep in

mind that software supports new feature combined with the latest firmware release.

Please check http://pegasusastro.com/support for latest firmware & software updates of “FocusCube”.

Launch 2nd instance of the software

Click button. It will spawn a 2nd instance with different settings so you can use both of them in parallel.


pegasus astro - focuscubepegasus focuscube has been developed to meet these requirements. designed...

Documents